What Have You Learned?

What have you learned?
Can you remember?
What would you like for me to do?
Everything you need from me is in your hands
And everything else is up to you

You’re like a butterfly on a windy day
You use directions in a roundabout way

What have you learned?
Now that you’ve been burned
By the guy who used to be
The center of your eye?
And you’re blown away
By your own hurricane
And you wonder why

Castaway and you’re looking
Through the wreckage for your pride
But you can’t salvage what you don’t supply

What have you learned?
Now that you’ve been burned
By the girl who used to be the center
Of your world?
Who used to be your center of gravity
And now you’re so unsure

You’re like a squirrel
Out in the middle of the road
You’re halfway there
But don’t know which way to go

What have you learned
Now that you’ve been burned
By the one who used to be
The One and Only if you could see
Your sinking dignity

You’re like the waves
Beating on the sandy shore
You swear you’ve been there once or twice before
What have you learned?

What have you learned? Can you remember?
Now that they don’t know what to do?
Now that they miss your heart of gold so badly
This is what I’d say if I were you-

It’s in a treasure chest
That’s buried in the sand
But the “x” does not mark the spot
And I do not need a hand
And if I burst out into flames
Without your guidance anymore
Just scatter me across the sea
And you can kiss my ashes from the shore

-Carbon Leaf, Nothing Rhymes With Woman

School Days!

11......5.......2 The Grades they're entering this school year!

I gotta say...14 weeks is tooooo long for summer break! I think even they were excited to go back!

This year, they all live far enough from their respective schools to ride buses. This is a MUCH welcomed happening especially with me working out of town. Can be a hassle getting off work in inclement weather to grab a kid who's not on a bussing route. Now...no worries...

Or so we think...the first day the Middle School bus didn't come to our stop. So I ended up driving Becca and a couple boys from the stop to school! Thankfully the stope is across the street from our house AND Todd and I were home. First day kinks, I guess.

I'm sure this year will go fast. Which will be good since it's gonna be hard with me being gone a lot of the time. I hate to think all the stuff I'm gonna miss. But I know we'll all step up to the plate and come out on top!

Even though I KNOW they are leaving their home chores until the 11th hour on the day I come home :) Way to go, Gang!

Purple People Eater?

Naaaaaaaaaaaa! Here's Boog's back to school 'do! I was glad she added the bangs back in. She has a LOT of hair (Like me) so it's good she cut some and we're able to see her a bit better now :)

I allow the kids pretty much free riegn over their hair styles. I figure hair experimentation is the least of my worries and rather harmless. So...black and purple it is!

Beccs' Bday!

Miss Becca turned 11 on the 4th!! Again, hard to believe. I got home around dinner time that day from work in the Cities. We had a small celebration at home with her friend, Cheyenne. Her Dad is coming for a visit soon and we'll whoop it up then.

I always feel bad for the girls as their bdays are either side of the start of school week. Things in a $ sense always seem to go wrong around this time with school shopping, doctors' appt etc in prep for school. One day...hopefully next year...we'll be able to do them up right!

She started MIDDLE SCHOOL this week! WOW! She seems to be loving it! And is enjoying that fact that she gets to ride the bus to and from school this year!

A Dog's Life

On my way home from my job interview I was traveling along 212 and 23 and followed this motorcycle a bit. I just laughed... this dog has a VERY GOOD life indeed!

I gotta job! I gotta job! No, really.. a REAL job!

A couple weeks ago I got a note on Facebook from a former classmate about a FT job opportunity in North Minneapolis. I had already been working PT in the Cities over summer, and have been looking for FT work for 2+ years. So I applied, went for an interview.. AND .... was offered the job on the spot!!! And yes, I accepted on the spot!

I was SO excited when I walked out that day that it took all my energy to walk in a composed manner to my car. THANK YOU, Megan!!

My new Dr. and his staff are fantastic! It's a new practice, so many of us are new to the staff and we seem to all be a good fit with one another. Which is a hard thing to find in this field. Mostly, it's great to work for a nice doctor who's very cool and laid back. There is a learning curve here with new software and being completely paperless, but am sure it'll all fall into place over the next couple weeks. Every day gets a bit better.

The hard part is that I live in the Cities during the week and am home only on weekends. I got the job just 2 weeks before the start of school so it was too soon to move the kids. These next 9 months will be trying. Now that school has started, that will help the Smalls keep occupied. I feel bad...not being there...the things I am going to miss out on.. but will all be for the best in the long run. Parenting from 150 miles away is not easy and leaves Todd with the brunt of the mess unfortunately. I worry for them all, but know they'll work it out together! TEAM WORK! My thanks to them for their understanding!

I want to especially thank my kids, friends (Kim, Jer & Matt K) and fellow hygiene associates for your uncurbed enthusiasm at my news. It really means a lot.. A LOT! Thanks to those who should have been excited, but weren't. It's good to know where we lie in this grand, short-lived scheme.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet! She's SIXTEEN!

Wow, can ya believe my baby is SIXTEEN? She's definitely changed, well, grown up, a lot in the last year. We're not looking forward to getting a driver's license in October. Well...I don't think she's too thrilled, but I sure am!

She's just started her Junior year of High School...WHOA! We've already started looking at colleges, discussing senior pics and thinking about grad parties..

I was about her age when her father and I started dating; maybe a smidge younger. It all seems a blur now. I can say I am proud of who she's growing into as a person. Which is a major accomplishment/wish/desire for any parent! Lucky me!

They're baaaaaaaaaaaaaack.....

Our favorite summer bug, the Cicada, is back! The hatch has been lighter than last year's, probably due to the mild summer weather. Alex just LOVES these things. Here he is allowing one to crawl all over himself. I have to admit, they are pretty interesting; and even I like watching them emerge from their casings. But I am not about to let them crawl on me!